Get excited about Sabres prospect Matthew Savoie

Buffalo Sabres rookie Matthew Savoie is set to make his National Hockey League debut Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli and former NHLer Colby Cohen discuss the excitement around the 2022 first-round pick and what his debut entails for the Sabres.

Frank Seravalli: I wanted to look ahead to (Tuesday’s) game for the Buffalo Sabres as Matthew Savoie is making his NHL debut. He’s a highly touted prospect, taken 9th overall in 2022. Picked by the Sabres, had a six-game conditioning stint in Rochester of the AHL in which he put up nearly a point per game. As he makes his debut, what are you looking forward to? Colby, this Buffalo team after starting 2-4 has really started to turn things around and gotten back on the ground and seem to be taking off and heading in the right direction. 

Colby Cohen: Well, he had 38 goals last season in the WHL, which is almost 40 and that’s impressive. I look at these types of players, guys who maybe aren’t ready to play in the NHL but are too skilled to play in junior so it’ll be interesting to see how he does at the NHL level. If (the Sabres) feel there’s a fit for him for the rest of the year, then after they go past that 10 games they’ll burn the first year of his eligibility. Personally, I think that rule needs to change. Every team should be awarded two waivers for prospects who are too good to be playing junior hockey at 19 but not quite ready for the NHL. If we’re truly serious about developing players the right way, homegrown NHL players, then I think that would be much better for guys like Savoie. 

Frank Seravalli: I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been saying that forever. Even just one exemption from that rule to put one player in the AHL if you feel that’s the best for you. Obviously, there are players born in Europe that aren’t subject to the same thing and make the rule stand out a bit more and college players as well, but college players tend to stay in the NCAA until they’re ready. I’m excited to see Savoie make his debut for the Sabres. I think if you’re able to add one more you know young piece into an already promising group and can pick up some of the offensive slack for this team, it becomes an interesting spot especially as we inch closer to Patrick Kane making his decision.